![CORRECTION / Britain's Anthony Joshua celebrates after defeating Sweden's Otto Wallin during their heavyweight boxing match at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on December 23, 2023. (Photo by AFP) / "The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by AHMED YOSRI has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [-/STR] instead of [Ahmed YOSRI]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require." (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)](https://legacymedia.sportsplatform.io/image/upload/v1704491264/dmjxazv7ultqanlofasi.jpg?w=1280 "CORRECTION / Britain's Anthony Joshua celebrates after defeating Sweden's Otto Wallin during their heavyweight boxing match at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on December 23, 2023. (Photo by AFP) / \"The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by AHMED YOSRI has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [-/STR] instead of [Ahmed YOSRI]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require.\" (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)")
Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou Agree to Contract for 10-Round Boxing Fight
Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou are set to face off in a boxing match.
Combat sports insider Ariel Helwani first reported the fight:
Eddie Hearn later confirmed the fight and that there will be a press conference in London on Jan. 15.
Joshua had a bout scheduled for March, although his adversary wasn't known at the time. It appears that the MMA veteran will now be his opponent.
Ngannou signed with the Professional Fighters League in May 2023, with his contract allowing him to participate in professional boxing matches. The former UFC heavyweight champion faced off against WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in his first professional bout as a boxer on Oct. 28.
Ngannou shocked the world by taking Fury the distance, narrowly losing via split decision in the end. Many were still extremely impressed with his performance against the champion, as he knocked down Fury in the third round with a left hook. He wasn't showing off his signature powerful punches throughout the entire fight, relying on a measured approach while going at Fury when he least expected him to.
He'll take on another notable heavyweight, as Joshua enters the fight with a record of 27-3 with 24 knockouts. In his last bout, Joshua defeated Otto Wallin by knockout in the fifth round on Dec. 23.
Speculation of a fight between the two has been rampant since Ngannou's matchup against Fury. Eddie Hearn, Joshua's co-promoter, discussed the possibility of the two facing off in an appearance on The MMA Hour on Dec. 11.
"I reached out to Francis Ngannou's team, and I said, 'Just to let you know, we're up for discussing the Francis Ngannou [vs.] AJ fight.' I never heard back from them," Hearn said.
However, it appears that the two sides were able to discuss the fight and reach an agreement in order to make it happen.
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